Fenway Flashback: 1986 - Tom is Still "Terrific" as Sox Drop Game Two in Chicago
April 12, 1986
April 12, 1986: Tom is Still “Terrific” as Sox Drop Game Two in Chicago
With two fantastic starts by Nipper and Clemens and the offense scoring at will, the Red Sox were at .500 and looking to take their first series of the season. The 0–4 White Sox were all that stood in their way on this chilly Chicago evening in April.
Pitching Matchup and Lineups
Bruce Hurst would be making his second start of the season, hoping to do a little better than he did in the season opener, and probably just happy not to have to face Kirk Gibson again. Tony LaRussa would be giving the ball to his future Hall of Famer, Tom Seaver, who didn’t know it yet but might have been providing an early audition for the Red Sox front office.
The Red Sox lineup had a very similar look to it again:
Dwight Evans (RF)
Wade Boggs (3B)
Bill Buckner (1B)
Jim Rice (LF)
Don Baylor (DH)
Tony Armas (CF)
Rich Gedman (C)
Marty Barrett (2B)
Ed Romero (SS)
Game Recap
The second game of the series took on a very similar appearance to the last two games for the Red Sox, as their opponents got out to an early lead. Unfortunately for Boston, that would not mean a victory this time. In the top of the first inning, Seaver set down the Red Sox 1–2–3. In the bottom of the first, Hurst was not nearly as efficient. Third baseman Wayne Tolleson started the inning with a triple and quickly scored as the second batter, and former Red Sox center fielder Reid Nichols singled in the first run of the game. Hurst was able to strike out Baines, get Fisk to ground out, and then strike out Kittle to end the inning, but on this day, it appeared that it might just be enough for Seaver to give Chicago their first win of the season.
Both Hurst and Seaver matched zeros over the next three innings, but Seaver was able to do it for four, retiring the Red Sox’s hot-hitting offense in order in three of them. In the bottom of the fifth, Chicago played a little small ball to extend their lead to 3–0. Light-hitting backup catcher, Joel Skinner led off the inning with a single and moved to second when Ozzie Guillen laid down a sacrifice bunt. Unfortunately for Hurst and the Sox, Marty Barrett was unable to field the bunt, and everyone was safe on his error. Leadoff man Wayne Tolleson then hit a soft roller to Barrett, who was able to make the play this time, but both runners advanced, putting two runners in scoring position for Reid Nichols to do some more damage. And damage he did, singling hard to left field, scoring both runners and providing Seaver with a lead that he would not relinquish despite Boston’s best efforts.
Those efforts were quick to take shape as they put a run on the board in the top of the sixth. Dwight Evans worked a leadoff walk and moved to second when Wade Boggs grounded out slowly to short. Buckner also grounded out, for the second out of the inning but moved Evans over to third for Jim Rice, who promptly delivered a two-out single to give Boston what would turn out to be their only run of the game.
Seaver ended the rally in the sixth, and although he allowed a pair of one-out singles to Gedman and Barrett, he was able to retire the Red Sox in the seventh to complete his night. LaRussa brought in veteran right-hander Dave Schmidt to face the heart of the Red Sox order in the top of the eighth. He proceeded to induce three ground balls to three different infielders to retire the side in order. In the ninth, he got Baylor to fly out, allowed a single to Tony Armas, but quickly ended the inning and the game by getting Gedman to roll over on a pitch and ground into a game-ending 4–6–3 double play.
Pitching Notes
Bruce Hurst pitched well in a losing effort (0–1). He completed all 8 innings, allowed 3 runs (2 earned) on 5 hits, 2 walks, and 11 strikeouts. Much like his Opening Day start, it was only one batter who did all the damage against him.
Player Notes and Season Stats
Seaver was masterful, allowing only 4 of the 5 hits that the Red Sox managed on the day, showing even in the twilight of his career why he was a Hall of Famer.
Marty Barrett: 2-for-3
Jim Rice: 1-for-4, 1 RBI (5)
Tony Armas and Rich Gedman: 1-for-4
The loss dropped the Red Sox back under .500 at 2–3 and removed any hope of returning to Boston after the opening road trip with a winning record. One game remained on the trip, though, and Boston was hoping to at least win the series. As the end of the first week of the season approached, the Yankees were atop the American League sporting a 4–1 record, while the White Sox and A’s were in the basement at 1–4. Everyone else in the league was either 3–2 or 2–3. Over in the National League, St. Louis was 4–0 and leading the NL East, and the Giants were 4–1 at the top of the NL West. Sitting at 2–1 and in second place in the NL East were the New York Mets!
Stay tuned as we continue our day-by-day journey through the memorable 1986 Red Sox season.
Image courtesy of https://www.nbcsports.com/mlb/news/the-day-tom-seaver-got-two-wins